Medical Imaging Equipment Financing

Medical imaging financing covers the scanner and the work to make it operational: shielding, power, cooling, rigging and installation. A new 1.5T MRI runs roughly $1M–$1.5M, a 3T MRI $1.8M–$3M, a CT scanner $300K–$1M or more, and a digital X-ray room $80K–$250K, with refurbished systems at a substantial discount. Terms run up to 7 years, often with deferred payments during installation. Lenders underwrite imaging on scan volume and reimbursement: how many studies a day the system will read, at what payer mix, against the payment and the service contract.

Typical 2026 pricing; used means refurbished by an established vendor. MRI and CT siting (shielding, power, chilled water, rigging and room construction) often adds six figures, and multi-year service contracts are priced separately.

Illustrative level monthly payments on the amount financed. Rates depend on credit, time in practice, the system and the lender.

An imaging system earns per study, so lenders look at volume and reimbursement. For an existing practice or center, that means historical scan counts, referral sources and payer mix. For a new modality, it means the referral base that will feed it: the orthopedic group sending MRIs, the primary care network ordering CT, the OB-GYN practice needing ultrasound. The simplest summary is a break-even: the number of studies a day at your average reimbursement that covers the payment, the service contract and the technologist. The further current or projected volume sits above that line, the stronger the file.

MRI and CT systems need a room built for them: radio-frequency and magnetic shielding for MRI, lead for CT and X-ray, dedicated power, chilled water, and in many cases structural work and a crane to bring the system in. Those costs can be large, and lenders will usually finance them with the system when they are on the vendor’s or contractor’s quotes. Because siting can take months, many lenders offer deferred or interest-only payments until the system is installed and scanning.

The purchase price is only part of the cost of owning imaging. Multi-year service contracts on MRI and CT are a significant annual expense and are usually paid separately, though some lenders will bundle the first years into the financing. MRI magnets need helium, and newer sealed or low-helium designs reduce that exposure. CT scanners depend on X-ray tubes that wear out with use and are expensive to replace, so a used CT’s tube history matters. Ask about all three before you compare prices.

Refurbished MRI, CT and X-ray systems from established vendors can cost a fraction of new and are widely financed, especially when they come with a warranty, service coverage and a current software level. Check the magnet or tube history, the software version and upgrade path, and whether the vendor handles de-installation, rigging and installation. A system that cannot be upgraded may limit the protocols you can offer.

Medicare requires suppliers billing the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging, including MRI and CT, to be accredited, and mammography facilities must be certified under federal mammography quality standards. Some states also require a certificate of need before adding MRI, CT or other major imaging. Lenders will ask where you stand on each, because an unaccredited or unapproved system cannot bill as planned. Build those timelines into the project.

Imaging technology changes quickly, which is where fair-market-value leases earn their place: lower payments and a clean path to upgrade at the end of the term. Practices that keep systems for a long time, or buy refurbished at a low price, usually finance to own. A financed system qualifies for Section 179 like a cash purchase, up to $2,560,000 for tax years beginning in 2026, and the deduction phases out once qualifying purchases pass $4,090,000, which a large MRI project can approach. Confirm the treatment with your CPA.

Staffing a new modality, marketing to referrers and the gap while claims process are better funded with working capital; see healthcare working capital. For clinical equipment outside imaging, see medical equipment financing, and for dental CBCT and panoramic units, dental equipment financing. Multi-product options for practices are on the healthcare financing page, and one application at equipment financing goes to 100+ funding partners.